20 January 2005
New Deal helping 1,560 people into work in Ryedale
Figures released today show 1,560 people are working with the New Deal in Ryedale, and already 940 have been helped into work by the programme.
Paul Blanchard, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Ryedale, today said:
"The New Deal has made a huge difference in the area. People in towns like Malton and Pickering have got off benefits and started work thanks to the New Deal.
"Before 1997, high unemployment was the norm in the UK and the Tories had given up on people in Ryedale. Unemployment hit 3 million; long-term youth unemployment hit 300,000 and the numbers on incapacity benefit trebled under the Tories.
"Because of this appalling record, getting more people off benefits and into work has been a priority for the Labour Government since it was elected in 1997.
"Across the country, more people are employed than ever before, with 2 million more people in work than in 1997. I am proud to announce that in Ryedale alone the New Deal has helped nearly a thousand people into work."
"It is staggering that the Tories announced this week that they plan to scrap the New Deal as part of their proposed spending cuts. They clearly haven't learnt lessons from the last time they were in power.
"We have clearly made progress on jobs and are determined to go much further to make sure everyone has the opportunity to learn new skills, gain qualifications and work. I am proud of Ryedale and the people who live here. Labour is working in Ryedale and we must make sure the Tories never get a chance to wreck it again."
